Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton defended her change in positions over the years by drawing a contrast with Republicans, who she said were "impervious to facts."

During an interview on CNN, host Jake Tapper pointed out that a 2008 Obama campaign memo echoed criticism of Clinton during this election cycle. In recent weeks, opponents have knocked Clinton for switching positions on the TPP trade deal with Asia, tougher financial regulation and the Keystone XL pipeline.

Clinton explained to Tapper that critics of her shifting opinions came with the territory.

"It's part of the landscape, it happened when I ran for the Senate and it happened, obviously, again when I ran for president," she recalled. "But I have been the same person. I have the same principles."

"There isn't anybody, anybody I know in politics who hasn't changed a position from time to time except some Republican who are impervious to evidence and change circumstances," she added. "I think anyone who looks at what I have fought for and stood for my entire adult like on behalf of kids and families and women and the middle class and economic opportunity knows that I have been very steady."

"And yes, do I look at evidence and try to figure out what's the best way forward to achieve the goals that I hold? Yes, I do do that."